Page:Golden Treasury of English Songs and Lyrics.djvu/59

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Second
43
Unstain’d with hostile blood; The trumpet spake not to the arméd throng ; And kings sat still with awful eye,As if they surely knew their sovran Lord was by.
But peaceful was the night Wherein the Prince of Light His reign of peace upon the earth began: The winds, with wonder whist,Smoothly the waters kist Whispering new joys to the mild ocean— Who now hath quite forgot to rave,While birds of calm sit brooding on the charméd wave.
The stars, with deep amaze,Stand fix’d in stedfast gaze, Bending one way their precious influence; And will not take their flightFor all the morning light,Or Lucifer that often warn’d them thence; But in their glimmering orbs did glowUntil their Lord himself bespake, and bid them go.
And though the shady gloomHad given day her room,The sun himself withheld his wonted speed,And hid his head for shame,As his inferior flameThe new-enlighten’d world no more should need:He saw a greater Sun appearThan his bright throne, or burning axletree, could bear.
The shepherds on the lawnOr ere the point of dawnSate simply chatting in a rustic row; Full little thought they thenThat the mighty PanWas kindly come to live with them below; Perhaps their loves, or else their sheep Was all that did their silly thoughts so busy keep.
When such music sweetTheir hearts and ears did greet
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